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Chapter 10 - Don't Trust

Zixin politely declined, "I refuse to make any alliance with anyone. So please, leave me be."

Zixin started walking forward but Elena swiftly moved in his way–stopping him. He explained with undeniable resolve, "An alliance is without a shadow of a doubt, a good idea. If we make an alliance, we can help each other. I can help you enter the–"

Zixin cut her off, plainly speaking, "There is no need. I see your kindness but I can walk alone."

Elena bit her lip, not yet ready to give up. She added, maintaining a calm attitude, "I want to be at the top of the rankings, that's why I am proposing this alliance. I am telling you this now because I believe that building trust is important."

Zixin cast his gaze to his right, watching the outside through the window as he said, "If you really wish to make it to the top, go find people who are willing to help you. People with a diverse amount of knowledge, and that is unfortunately not me."

Zixin then began walking, leaving her alone but before he could, Elena explained, "I… simply cannot make an alliance with them, they are unwilling to add another variable into the already chaotic fight for the top. That's why I am asking you, because you know how they do things right?"

Zixin gave her a glance, letting out a deep sigh as he explained, "Those at the top will do anything in their power to not disrupt their own growth, you are indeed correct but I am unwilling. Sadly, luck did not take your side on this one. But, since you are a genius, there should be no need for me, no?"

Elena stood there–utterly speechless. Zixin managed to understand her, yet still refused. She thought, smiling bitterly, Is this irony?

Zixin then leaves Elena, heading to his next class.

After Zixin's classes ended, he went and took another stroll. He makes sure to relax his mind ever so often so taking strolls was now quite mandatory for him.

While he was walking around the bustling streets of Dawn Heart, he saw Cael giving gifts to children around seven to nine years old.

With his curiosity piqued, Zixin takes a few steps forward but one of the children recognizes him and walks up to him.

Zixin also recognized this child, it was the child he had previously given the cupcakes to.

The girl bowed, trying to sound polite, "Thank you Mister Prince for those cupcakes. They were really delicious."

Zixin crouched down, meeting her eye-to-eye. Zixin smiled softly, clearly relieved that she was doing well. He asked, trying to sound as friendly as he could, "If they were delicious, could you perhaps be hoping to have more? Or something else?"

The girl nodded, as she said, "I want cookies this time."

Zixin nodded, standing up to buy some.

Zixin left but soon came back after only a few minutes passing by, now carrying a paper bag filled with cookies, and he handed it to the girl.

"Thank you, Mister Prince!" She smiled, speaking with her heart.

Zixin slowly stood up, only to be met with Cael's puzzled expression. It was clear that Cael never expected Zixin to help the girl.

Cael laughed awkwardly, asking, "So, why did you buy Elysia uh… cookies?"

Zixin gave him a deadpan look, thinking, Do you not know of any other way of responding? It's getting boring at this point.

Zixin responds, unbothered, "I felt like it. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Hearing Zixin's response seemed to make Cael's eyes dull, as if he was calculating a sequence of events.

Zixin asked, curious, "So, why were you giving away gifts?"

Cael immediately snapped back to reality, trying to explain, "It's more of a habit of mine. It started when I was seven, when I gave my last remaining piece of bread to a girl during winter."

Zixin's thoughts moved, trying to decipher Cael's words. He sounds genuine but… I feel there's something wrong or something is missing…

Cael offered, "If we're going to talk like this, why not go somewhere else?"

"I suppose."

Cael then parted ways with the children and Zixin soon followed him.

At a nearby cafe, Zixin and Cael sat opposite each other. A waiter approached them, wearing a white shirt, black trousers, and black shoes. He seemed to be around his 40s so his short grey hair slowly turned white.

The waiter then asked, "So what order would you like?"

Zixin responded, "Coffee please."

Cael responded, "Black tea please."

After taking down notes, the waiter left them alone, so Zixin asked, "Can I hear your past?"

Confusion once again rose as Cael questions Zixin, "Huh? Why are you asking that? I heard you don't like getting entangled with others."

Zixin sighed, not enjoying his current predicament, "I know that we will meet each other often, because we are partners in Alchemy class so I shall be bothered if it means passing the class."

Cael simply shakes his head, impressed by how much Zixin lacks trust in him. He joked, "Trust is fundamental, you know?"

"Social creatures like us only need trust if we feel alone," Zixin muttered unknowingly.

Cael then cleared his throat ready to explain, "I had a very normal childhood with my parents and friends but it didn't last long. My parents died due to an unknown disease and my friends, well, they… disappeared like they were erased from existence itself. I know I sound crazy but, I'm simply stating what I saw."

Zixin questioned, "How did they disappear?"

"They just disappeared. It wasn't even part by part but as a whole." Cael tried to explain but tears started to flow.

The waiter then came back, placing their orders on the table. Zixin nodded at him, giving him their payment.

Zixin turned to look back at Cael, thinking to himself, I… I feel bad now, but something is missing again. His words sound genuine yet it still feels like something is missing. Sigh.

Cael then asked Zixin, ready to hear his story, "So, I guess that it's my turn to ask you now about your past."

Zixin turned to look at the window. The street was filled with life, carriages and passersby would pass him by, making him feel alone. He smiled dryly and replied, "Fate is indeed cruel. I cannot remember."

Within his bedroom, Zixin read a book regarding the sudden disappearance of people as Cael had told him.

He shook his head thinking, If what Cael said was truly real, then it must be Holder's doing but erasure seems too powerful to be used on mere children.

He lay down, quickly falling asleep.

When he woke up, a sudden thought hit him: Maybe I should be nicer to Cael…

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